Horse Racing Tips: Timeform's three best bets at Taunton on Tuesday

Defining Battle - 14:12 Taunton

Defining Battle shaped well on his first start for 585 days when finishing fourth on his hurdling debut at Newbury last month. That was a relatively deep novice hurdle and Defining Battle did some eye-catching late work having been plenty keen enough in the early part of the race and still having plenty to do once entering the straight. He looks a sure-fire improver and can prove too sharp for interesting debutant Mon Frere.

Grandads Cottage - 14:42 Taunton

Grandads Cottage cost £200,000 after winning an Irish point and, though he is yet to live up to that hefty price tag, he shaped really well when narrowly denied by Time To Tinker over this course and distance last time. That was easily Grandads Cottage's best effort under Rules, looming up looking very threatening two out and was leading at the final flight, only to be edged out in the final strides. That was his first run for three months, and is weighted to reverse that form now, so is a confident selection to open his account under Rules.

Rainbow Storm - 16:45 Taunton

It is very likely that we are yet to see the best of Rainbow Storm, and he could be worth backing to show improved form now making his handicap debut. He was beaten more than 40 lengths over two and a half miles at Hereford when last seen in November, but there is a feeling that he has been brought along with handicaps in mind. Rainbow Storm steps up to three miles now and, for all an opening mark of 99 is no gift based on what he has achieved so far, he ought to prove better than this mark at some point.